Trench mortar and the like



1,633,710 gum 1927' 'H. NEWTON TRENGH MORTAR AND THE LIKE Original Filed Nov. 17, 1917 Patented June 28, 1927.

UNETED fiTATiES team rarest err-tea.

HENRY NEWTON, F DABLEY, HEAR DERBY, ENGLAN D.

TRENCH MORTAR AND THE Lm.-.

Original application filed November 17, 1917, Serial No. 202,475, and in Great Britain March Divided and this application filed March 11, 1922. Serial No. 543,001.

(GRANTED Ul TDER THE EROVISIOR'S OF THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1921,41 STAT. I, 18 13;)

15 mary charge or charges burning rapidly and thereby creating a temperature and pressure environment proper to ensure the complete combustion of the secondary charge. or charges.

The invention also consists in a charge of I the above character in which the primary charge or charges may be confined in a combustion chamber.'

The invention further consists 1n a charge of the above character in which the primary charge or charges may be carried in a combustion chamber provided-upon the base of the projectile.

The invention still further consists in a charge for trench mortars or other high or low pressure guns in which the combustion f chamber carrying the primary charge is provided with ports for the emission of the propellant gases.

The invention also consists in other details and arrangements hereinafter described or indicated.

My invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in

' 40 which Figure 1 shows one form of charge in accordance with the invention adapted to be used with a gun of the trench mortar type;

Figure 2 shows a modified form of charge;

Figure 3 shows a further modification of the invention as applied to a projectile provided with. wings or vanes.

In carrying my invention into efiect in one convenient manner as illustrated in Figure 1, I provide upon the base of the projectile a a cylindrical or other extension I; having gas emission ports I) provided therein and adaptedto receive the primary charge or charges a which may be ballistite or other similar explosive contained within the cartridge container d, a secondary charge e belng provided surrounding the extension I) in the manner shown. It desired, the secondary l charge e may comprise two or more parts.so'

with aself-contained striker, in which case a flat topped stud or anvil only is fixed in the mortar, whereby the primer f attached to the base of the projectile is adapted'to be fired when the projectile. falls to the lower end of i the barrel under the action of gravity.

Again, the shell may carry a trip mechanism preferably adjustable so that it might operate the igniting'cartridges at predetermined points, giving a shorter or lon er stroke for the shell, as may be required or range.

If desired, the charge may comprise a secondary slow burning charge or charges, such as cordite, and a primary quick'burning charge or charges, such as gun-cotton yarn.

In the modification'shown in Figure 2, the extension 1) containing the primary charge may be provided with ports 9 located at a part adjacent the point of ignition of the propellant whereby the pressure and temperature of the propellant gases may be increased.

I am well aware of the common use of a primer as a means of igniting a large charge from a percussion cap, and I make no clalm herein to suchyprimers, which are merely'a means of applying a flame to the surface of the charge.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement whereby the invention is applied toa projectile provided with blades or vanes. In this case the propellant charge comprises secondary charges of slow burning exploslve such as cordite, and primary charges of quick burnderstood t at the bags containing the charges may be formed of any suitable materia such as silk, celluloid or the like.

Charges according to my invention comprising one or more primary and one or more secondary charges may be applied with advantage to high pressure guns as well as to low pressure guns, and by such means erosion will be reduced to a minimum or prevented to a great extent, while at the same time the ranges obtainable will be con-' siderably increased.

By the use of such charges in long range the pressure can be raised in the fixed chamber of the gun to a predetermined extent in a predetermined time, no matter what the size of the secondary charge may be, this being a matter of great importance, for example, in the case of howitzer-s in which va ing charges are used in the same capacity amber, so that by my invention, even with such varying charges, a definite and uniform rate of burning of the charge may be obtained.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be confined to use with any particular form of gun or mortar. Also that the location of the primary and secondary charges may be varied relatively to one another as both charges may, if necessary, be located within the ase of the gun and, furthermore, such charges may comprise either charge Within said container, and a secondary charge spaced from said primary charge by saldcontainer.

2. A projectile for trench mortars and' other low pressure guns comprising a body portion containing explosive, a metal container at the rear end of said body portion having gas apertures, a primary charge in said container, and a secondary charge spaced from said primary charge by said container.

3. A projectile for trench mortars and other low pressure guns comprisinga body portion containing explosive, tail vanes secured upon the end of said body portion, and a propellant charge located and retained between said vanes.

4:. A projectile for trench mortars and other low pressure guns comprising a body portion containing explosive, tail vanes secured upon the end of said body portion, and a propellant charge formed in a plurality of distinct parts'located and retained between said vanes.

to secure by Let- Y 5. A projectile for trench mortars and other low pressure guns comprising a body portion, tail vanes secured thereon, a pri mary charge adapted to burn rapidly, a secondary slower burning charge located and retained in proximity to said primary charge between said tail vanes.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' HENRY NEWTON. 

